Arroyo signs 16 local measures into law

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed 16 local bills, 14 of them on cityhood, into law yesterday.

Former President Fidel Ramos, his sister, former Sen. Leticia Ramos-Shahani, and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. graced the signing ceremonies at Malacañang. No senator, including Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, was around.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Arroyo has signed Executive Order No. 2 creating an inter-agency committee that will oversee relief, rehabilitation and development activities in conflict-stricken communities in Mindanao.

Heading the "Committee Interact-Mindanao" as chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, are acting Defense Secretary and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita and Presidential Adviser on Regional Development Paul Dominguez.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered the release of an initial P5 million from her contingency funds for the committee.

Shahani’s son, Pangasinan Rep. Ranjit Shahani, authored one of the enacted laws, Republic Act 9030, renaming the Asingan-Sta. Maria bridge after his late grandfather, Ambassador Narciso Ramos.

One of the cityhood laws, RA 9025, involves Alaminos town in Pangasinan. It was authored by Rep. Hernani Braganza, Ramos’ nephew and now the agrarian reform secretary.

The 13 other cityhood laws are RA 9014 for Escalante, Negros Occidental; RA 9015 for Panabo, Davao del Norte; RA 9017 for Cauayan, Isabela; RA 9018 for Candon, Ilocos Sur; RA 9010 for Malabon, Metro Manila; RA 9020 for Tabaco, Albay; RA 9021 for Meycauayan, Bulacan; RA 9022 for Gapan, Nueva Ecija; RA 9023 for Isabela, Basilan; RA 9024 for Calamba, Laguna; RA 9026 for Tanjay, Negros Oriental; and RAs 9027 and 9028 for Sipalay and Himamaylan, Negros Occidental, respectively.

Also signed into law was the bill of former Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella, setting up a university in Camarines Sur.